Cycle.



No. 689,968. Patented Dec. 3|, l90l. C. L. HOBACK.

CYCLE (Application filed Kay 7, 1898.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

cams pnzas co. momuima. WASNINGTON o c U Srarns CHARLES L. HORACK, OF BROOKLYN, NElV YORK.

CYCLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 689,968, dated December 31, 1901.

Application filed May '7, 1898. Serial No. 680,014. (N model-3 To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES L. HonAcK, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cycles, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention relates to vehicles of various kinds, and more particularly to such vehicles, as bicycles and tricycles, which may be propelled by the person seated or mounted thereon or by any suitable motor.

As all the improvements invented by me are especially applicable to cycles and as their construction and operation can be illustrated and explained in connection with cycles, I will in the following specification and in the drawings accompanying the same make reference particularly to cycles.

The objects of my invention are to provide means for neutralizing or reducing the shocks imparted to a cycle owing to the roughness of roads and its meeting with obstructions in general and to protect the rider against such shocks and the reaction therefrom; also, to so mount a suitable running-gear upon portions of the frame and to so connect the same therewith and to so construct the frame as to secure proper operation of such running-gear under varying conditions of the frame and while relative displacements take place with reference to the portions of the frame with which parts of such running-gear are connected. I accomplish these and other useful objects by the means hereinafter described, and set forth more particularly in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, and wherein like figures of reference throughout the different views refer to corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a cycle constructed according to my invention, Fig. 2 being a ground plan thereof. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section showinga modified arrangement of the cushioning means between two sections of the frame. Fig. 4 shows an enlarged view, partly in section, of cushioning means illustrated in Fig. 1, while Fig. 5 shows an end view thereof. Fig. 6 is a side view of means for cushioning the steeringpost, and Fig. 7 a vertical cross section of the steering-post and connecting parts of the frame. Fig. 8 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the parts surrounding the crankshaft; Fig. 9, a horizontal section through said parts central with the crank-shaft; Fig. 10, a vertical longitudinal section along line 10 10 in Fig. 9, and Fig. 11 a top view of the casing inclosing the crank-shaft. Fig. 12 is a vertical longitudinal section of portion of a cushioning device similar to that shown in Fig. 4, illustrating, however, a modification with reference to the internal valve employed therein. Fig. 13 is a cross-section of the saddle. Figs. 3, 6, and 13 are drawn to about double the scale of Figs. 1 and 2, While Figs. 4", 5, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, and 12 are drawn to about four times said scale.

21 is the upper main tube of the cycleframe; 22, the lower main tube; 23, the diagonal or down tube; 24, the saddle-pillar; 25, the saddle; 26, the steering-head; 27, the handle-bars; 28, the handle-bar stem; 29, the crank-axle 30, the pedal-bars with their pedals; 31, the upper rear fork; 32, the lower rear fork; 33, the front fork; 34, the pilot-Wheel, and the driving-wheeL 36 is an auxiliary shaft placed parallel with pedal-shaft 29.

37 is a gear-wheel on the pedal-shaft, and 38 a gear-wheel on shaft 29, meshing with 37.

39 is a casing inclosing shaft 29, and 40 a casing surrounding shaft 36.

41 is a bevel-gear on shaft 36, meshing with a bevel-gear 42 on a shaft 43, which at its rear end carries bevel-gear 44, meshing with abevel-gear 45 on the shaft ofdriving-wheel 35.

Casing 40 is joined to casing 39 and opens into the same opposite to cog-wheel 37, so as to permit of its proper intergearing with cogwheel 38, while the ends of said casings are each constructed in the form of acontinuous cylinder, the ends of shell 39 being of smaller diameters than the intermediate portion, so

as to properly inclose there the ball-bearings all times, and particularly when the rear lower fork is sprung out of a straight line,

XCO

proper engagement between bevel-gears 41 and -12, I construct shaft 43 in sections, which are capable of being deflected with reference to each other without interfering with the revolving motion of said shaft and at the-same time provide means for always confining the meshing bevelgears in perfect operative engagement. The appliances so provided with reference to the forward end of shaft 47 are shown in Fig. 9. Its rear end is to be provided with corresponding appliances.

146 is a toggle-joint in shaft 43 nearits forward end, it being understood that the toggle-joint near its rear end should be made to deflect at right angles to the deflection of joint 146, so as to provide for proper flexibility of said shaft in both directions.

I provide in the side of casing 39 a port 47, of sufficient size to permit of the proper introduction into said casing and proper adjustment within the same of gear-wheel 37, 48 being a cover having its flanges 49 detach-. ably secured to shell 39 for closing said port. I thus make the gear-wheels accessible without unduly weakening shell 39.

For the purpose of neutralizing shocks imparted to the wheels I employ a cushion-frame as follows:

The casing which carries the ball-bearings for rear wheel 35 is rigidly attached tofork 32 in usual manner and also carries the bearings for a pivot 50, to which the lower ends of fork 31 are articulated. The front end of fork 32 is articulated to casing 39, as described hereinafter, while the upper end of fork 31 is connected by a pivot 51 to a link 52, which embraces the portions of the frame where tubes 21 and 23 meet and which is provided in both of its branches with eyes 53, so fitting studs 54 on said frame that said link is permitted thereby to slide along said frame without changing its longitudinal direction.

55 and 56 are flexible diaphragms secured in air-tight manner to the mouths of socketpieces 57 and 58, respectively, said socketpieces running parallel with link 52 and communicating with the interiors of tubes 21, 23, and 22, so as to form a pneumatic cushion within said tubes and sockets and between said diaphragms, the ends of tubes 21 and 22 being closed Where they connect with steering-head 26. The lower end of link 52 consists of a T-piece 59,into which may be screwed to a proper depth a pin 60, contacting with diaphragm 55, a rim 61 being provided on said diaphragm to prevent excessive lateral displacement of the pin with reference thereto. In similar manner a T-piece 62, carrying a screw-threaded contact device 63, is provided at the upper end of link 52 to engage with diaphragm 56, and it will be seen that proper initial compressions of diaphragms 55 and 56 can be produced by properly manipulating means independent of such connecting means to resist relative lateral displacement of said frame-sections I secure sufficient elastic play laterally between said sections without unduly sacrificing rigidity of the frame.

64 is a spiral spring inserted between diaphragm 55 and socket-piece 57, so as to reinforce the pneumatic cushion at that end. A similar spring might be used in connection with diaphragm 56.

65 is an opening in the wall of tube 23, facing diaphragm 55, and 66 a swinging checkvalve adapted topartly or entirely close said opening when swinging downward, an ample margin being left between the latter and the walls of socket 57, so as to weaken tube 23 there as little as possible.

In employing in combination with a rigid casing two movable walls in the form of flexible diaphragms, so as to form cushioning means wherein said movable walls are alternately actuated during relative displacements of the frame-sections, all as described, I obtain very sensitive cushioning means free from danger of leakage, simple in construction, strong, and not liable to get out of order or to require looking after or cleaning in order to keep the same in operative condition, as would be the case if such movable walls were constructed in the form of pistons.

67 is a flexible diaphragm detachably secured to tube 23 in air-tight manner and hav ing secured to its inner surface a stem 68, screw-threaded at its lower end, so that two disks 69 and '70 may be secured thereto ad= just-ably.

71 is a screw mounted in bracket 72 on tube 23 and adapted to compress diaphragm 67.

Disk 69,which may be guided between studs, as 73, serves to prevent the entire closing of valve 66 and to adjust the extentof the minimum air-return passage so provided anddisk to limit and adjust the extent of the throw of said valve, and it will be seen that the effective area of said return-passage or the extreme throw of the valve may be regulated from the outside of the frame by means of diaphragm 67 and screw 71. The pneumatic cushion'havingbeen properly inflated through valve 7i, when wheel 44 strikes an obstruction diaphragm 55 and spring 64 will become compressed, and valve 66, owing to the sudden compression of the body of air underneath it, will be thrown open. This will result in outward expansion of diaphragm 56 and equalization in general of the air-pressure within the pneumatic cushion more or less gradual, in accordance with the extreme throw permitted to said valve. When reaction sets in, valve 66,.actuated by its own weight, and, if

desired, by an auxiliary spring, (not shown,)

rider being thrown outof the saddle by such reaction.

For the purpose of making the pneumatic cushion sufficiently sensitive it is desirable that its aggregate contents be made as large as possible, and this should be done without making the cycle look too bulky or adding considerably to its weight. For such purpose I prefer to employ in combination with abovedescribed cushioning means an additional pneumatic cushion outside of the cycle-frame and preferably a pneumatic saddle and to properly connect the same with the interior of said cushion. The saddle which I prefer to use comprises a flexible pneumatic cushion 75, mounted as described hereinafter, such cushion having a flexible connection 76,which communicates with a proper outlet 77 in one of the walls of the main cushion within the cycle-frame. By making said connections flexible and of sufficientlength the same will accommodate itself to changes and adjustments which may be made with reference to the elevation of the saddle. 78 is a suitable stop-cock within said connection, and 79 a valve through which said saddle cushion may be inflated when said stop-cock is closed. By passing flexible connection 7 6 upward within the saddle-pillar 24, as shown, up to near its point of connection with the saddle-cushion I protect the same in a simple manner without adding to the weight or cost of the cycle.

The front end of the lower rear fork 1 prefer to articulate to the seat-frame concentric with one of the shafts from which power is transferred to the shaft of the driving-wheel, as shaft29. This permits of the employment between these two shafts of rigid or approximately rigid rods as means of transmission of power, such as shaft 43. In the articulating means as illustrated, is an are or crescent shaped casing rigidly attached to the portion of the cycle-frame where tubes 22 and 23 meet, and mounted substantially concentrically with shaft 29 is an are or crescent shaped flexible pneumatic cushion 81, preferably provided with an inflating-valve 82, being interposed between said casing and shell 39 in such manner that it extends beyond and covers the longitudinal flanges 49 of coverplate 48 and is held in position by circumferential ridges 83 on the edge of said plate and on casing 39 and by longitudinal ridges, as 84, on said casing.

represents raised portions of the outer surface of cushion 81, which may be provided with metallic caps, and upon which casing 80 rests and upon which it revolves when diaphragms 55 and 56 are being actuated, and 86 flanges on said casing resting against the ends of said cushion.

87 represents lips extending outward from the edges of casing 80, and 8S screw-threaded pins extending radially through said lips. 89 represents brackets on the central portion of shell 39 opposite to said pins, their outer surfaces being constructed as circumferential channels having bottoms 90, provided with recesses 91, adapted to receive and to fit the inner cylindrical ends of pins 88 after the latter have been screwed inward sufficiently, and having slopes, as 92, adapted to more or less limit lateral displacements of the inner ends of said pins when the same are not in engagement with recesses 91, according to the extent to which said pins are screwed inward, and it will be seen that thus the maximum lateral displacement desired for casing 80 with reference to shell 39 and radial to the axis of shaft 29 can be regulated, the flexibility of cushion S1 permitting of such a movement.

Provision for a limited lateral displacement of link 52 with reference to the parts of the frame carrying diaphragms 55 and 56 is made as follows:

The sides of link 52 are attached to its ends 59 and 62 by bolts 93, there being additional bolt-holes, as 9t, provided in the ends of the side portions of said links, so as to permit said sides to be secured at greater distances from each other, if desired, such relative distances determining the amount of lateral play permitted between the link and the cycle-frame. Any suitable number of such additional holes may be provided at the ends of the link, so as to permit of a suffioient number of such adjustments.

represents washers on studs 54 underneath the members forming the link, and 96 spiral springs between said washers and the cycle-frame to yieldingly resist lateral displacements of the link. By providing for lateral displacements and elastic resistance thereto at both joints between the frame-section carrying the saddle and that carrying the rear wheel I guard against injuriously springing the cycle frame laterally, particularly when turning sharp curves, and assist in eas ing the movement of the running-gear particularlyalso, in combination with the togglejoints provided in shaft 43.

Then a very heavy shock is applied to dia-' phragm 55, or when a series of shocks are imparted to it in quick succession, so as to compress said diaphragm considerably, it might take too long during reaction for air to pass from above valve 66 to the space underneath the same, so as to equalize the pressures on both sides of said valve, and in consequence the limit of compression of said diaphragm might be reached quickly. Spring 6*, having a tendency to force the diaphragm outward, will then guard against this difficulty by thereby rarefying the air between the valve and the diaphragm, and in consequence promoting the quicker return flow of the air, while again forcing the diaphragm into such a position that it may again receive extensive compression. It will therefore be seen that under the arrangement described it is largely the function of spiral spring 64C to promptly neutralize slight shocks which may be imparted to the cycle and the reaction from which may be endured by the rider without much inconvenience and without throwing him out of the saddle, while it is the function of the pneumatic cushioning means embodying the automatic valve 66 and its adjusting means to receive and to neutralize shocks of great force or a number of shocks imparted to the cycle in quick succession and to provide for gradual reactions therefrom.

I provide for a limited lateral displacement of the steering-fork with reference to the steering-head and for means for adjusting the extent of such displacement as follows:

07 is the upper main stem of steering-fork 33, constructed tubular in usual manner,with split upper end, to which handle-bar stem 28 is secured by a spring-clamp 98. Stem 97 is adapted to slide and to revolve within tube 99. The steering-head 26 is widened toward its bottom, so as to permit of lateral oscillating movement within it of tube 09. 100 represents leaf-springs between said tubes for yieldingly resisting such movements, and 101 screws passing through steering-head 96 for adjusting the extreme limit of such movement.

I cushion the steering-fork upon the main pneumatic cushion within the cycle-frame by the following devices:

102 is a rim on stem 97, limiting the extent of the sliding movement permitted to said stem.

103 is a flexible diaphragm on the upper side of tube 21, and 104 such a diaphragm on its lower side. 105 is a slanting partition in said tube between said diaphragms, having a restricted air-passage 106. 107 is a strap adapted to be secured in varying positions alongsaid tube between said diaphragms and the steering-head. It carries a fulcrum 108, adapted to engage with elongated eye 109 of a lever 110, made U-shaped in ground plan, which lever has its rear end resting on top of diaphragm 103 and to which is secured a yoke 111, engaging with lower diaphragm 104,while the forward end of said lever passes around stem 97 and engages there freely through screws 112 with a groove in said stem between ridge 102 and aridge 113 in such manner that such stem may be revolved without affecting the position of the lever with reference to tube 21. Diaphragm 103 will become compressed and diaphragm 10will be permitted to expand when the front wheel strikes an obstruction, and thereby the steering-fork is forced upward within the steering-head, so

as to rock lever 110. This will compress air within the portion of tube 21 adjoining diaphragm 103 and will also force some air through aperture 106 into the forward portion of tube 21, while upon reaction lower diaphragm 104 will be compressed and flow of air in opposite direction will be enforced, and j the front fork will thereby be cushioned in opposite directions. By making the position of the fulcrum of lever 110 adjustable a greater or less compression of the pneumatic cushion may be produced upon a relative movement of given extent of the two sections of the frame, and thereby a more or less sensitive action of said cushion may be secured. It will readily be seen that the initial tensions of said diaphragms might be adjusted in corresponding manner as those of diaphragms 55 and 56 by providing in combination with lever 110 and yoke 111 proper screws engaging with diaphragms 103 and 101 and also that within aperture 106 a suitable valve with regulating mechanism might be inserted in manner as described with ref erence to aperture and its valve 66. Diaphragms 56 and 104: may be omitted where it is not considered important to cushion the parts of the frame against reaction from shocks imparted thereto.

114 is a slanting partition within tube 21 between the cushioning appliances for the rear-wheel frame and those for the steeringfork. It is provided with an aperture 115, adapted to be partly or wholly closed by the downward movement of a pin 116, attached to the interior surface of a diaphragm 117 in the wall of tube 21 and capable of being actuated by a screw 118, properly mounted on tube 21. By these appliancescommunication between the pneumatic cushion forward of said partition and that rearward of the same can be established to the extent desired.

In the modification of cushioning means illustrated in Fig. 3 the diaphragms 55 and 56, actuated by a link 52, and the swinging valve 66 cooperate, correspondingly with parts 55, 56, 52, and 66, and diaphragms in Fig. 3 being placed on the surfaces of tubes 21 and 23 facing each other, communication being maintained between the interiors of said tubes. The construction in Fig. 12 differs from the corresponding portion of that shown in Fig. 4 with reference to the valve employed for aperture 65, the valve 66 in this case containing a passage 119,leading through the same and permitting of the return flow of air even when said valve is fully seated, screw 120 serving to regulate the effective area of such passage.

My preferred form of saddle 25 consists of the flexible pneumatic cushion 75, secured to a lower supporting-frame 121, which is adjustably but fixedly attached to saddle-pillar 24. by a screw 121 in usual manner, and a cover-plate or cap-piece 122, through which cushion extends upward, as shown, so as to offer additional seating-surface for the rider. Said cap-piece is preferablymade of wood, pressed leather, aluminium, or other stiff material. Lower supporting-frame 121 is provided with lips 123,turned upward and each having elongated eye 124:,through which passes a bolt 125 for connecting said lip with a depending lip 126 on cap 122 in such manner that during varying compressions of cushion 25 said bolt while moving upward and downward in said eye will maintain base 121 and cap 122 in proper contact. These IIC bolts can also be utilized to fixedly secure the cover to the base at different relative elevations when desired. It will be seen that after the cushioning means between the sections of the frame and cushion have beeninflated the pressure within the same can be increased or decreased by fixedly securing base 121 and cover-plate to each other atless or greater relative distances by means of bolts 125,and thus the necessity of employing means for adjusting such pressures in contact with the cushioning means between the frame-sections is avoided.

I do not claim herein the peculiar construction of the pneumatic saddle as described independent of other cushioning means.

The function of a restricted connecting-passage between portions of cushioning means for cycles is to retard the flow of air between difierent portions of the cushioning means when relative displacements of the frame-sections take place, as are incident to the employment of cycles under'ordinary conditions of travel, and the advantages derived from the employment of such restricted passages are that after sudden shocks resulting in relative displacements of the frame-sections have thus been imparted to the cushioning means equalization of the different air-pressures thereby produced in the different-portions of the cushioning means separated by the restricted passage will take place gradually, not only while such shock is still being imparted, but also afterward, whereby sudden violent reactions may be guarded against, and where more than two chambers in such cushioning means are so connected by restricted passages that the air may be forced successively through such chambers and such passages, even where a quick succession of shocks takes placeas, for instance, in riding over cobblestonesthe cushioning means will have the tendency to afford prompt relief in each caseas, for instance, upon increased compression of cushion 55 due to such succession of shocks valve 66 will open and close repeatedly and the surplus of air forced through it into the interior of the seat-frame may gradually be forced into the saddle-cushion through such restricted passage as can be provided by keeping stopcock 78 open to a proper extent. The alternate flow of air within the cushioning means in opposite directions, as described above, and the production of greater pressures in one portion of the cushioning means than in the other such portions may be carried to any desired extent, as the cushioning means are closed to the atmosphere. By the employment of an are or C shaped shoe, as 85, articulated to casing 59 and to which other portions of the drivingwheel frame are attached, it is made possible to readily attach and detach such sections at said joint and to maintain the same there in operative contact; also, to readily adjust proper cushioning means between said shell and said casing, and where two transverse shafts are used in close proximity, as 29 and 36, and where the shells surrounding the same are joined together, as shown, the arc-shaped shoe is particularly suited for articulating the other frame-section to the outer surface of one of said shells.

In another application now pending in the United States Patent Office I have embodied claims covering more broadly the combination, with the sectional bicycle-frame, of cushioning means placed around a pivot to which two sections of the frame are articulated, which cushioning means yieldingly resist relative displacementof the two sections inadirection radial from the axis of the pivot and various details relating thereto. In the same application I have also-claimed more broadly than herein the combination, with the sectional frame having pneumatic cushioning means, ofa pneumatic saddle combined and connected with said cushioning means and "arious details relative thereto. In another application now pending in the United States Patent Office I have also claimed more broadly than herein a sectional cycle-frame with pneumatic cushioning means comprising two or more chambers and proper connections in various suitable relations and combinations, and I therefore do not claim here any such features claimed elsewhere.

I do not wish to confine myself to the details and the special combinations of parts herein described, as it will readily be seen that material changes might be made in that respect without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim- 1. In a cycle, the combination with the frame and the running-gear, of a pneumatic cushion divided into two chambers and adapted to yieldingly resist relative displace ment of the saddle and one of the wheels, and a check-valve interposed between said chambers and adapted to be actuated and to permit flow of air between said chambers when compression of the cushion and also when reexpansion takes place.

2. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the rl'lnninggear, one of the sections of the frame carrying the seat and the other carrying one of the wheels, of a pneumatic cushion divided into two chambers and adapted to yieldingly resist lowering of the seat with reference to said wheel, and a check-valve interposed between said chambers and adapted to be actuated and to for preventing entire closing of said valve and for adjusting the minimum effective air-passage of the same, for the purpose of adjusting such displacements. I

4. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, of a pneumatic cushion divided into two chambers and adapted-to yieldiugly resist relative displacement of two sections of the frame, a checkvalve interposed between said chambers and adapted to be actuated when such displacement occurs, and means for preventing entire closing of said valve and for adjusting the minimum effective air-passage of the same, for the purpose of adjusting the relative movements of said frame-sections.

5. In a cycle, the combination with the frame and the running-gear, of a pneumatic cushion divided into two chambers and adapted to yieldingly resist relative displacement of the seating-surface of the saddle and one of the wheels, a valve interposed between said chambers and adapted to be actuated "when such displacement occurs, and means for adjust-ing the extreme play of said valve, for the purpose of adjusting such displace- .ments.

6. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, of a pneumatic cushion divided into two chambers and adapted to yieldingly resist relative displacement of two of the frame-sections, a checkvalve interposed between said chambers and adapted to be actuated when such displacement occurs, and means for adjusting the extreme play of said valve, for the purpose of adjusting the relative movements of said frame-sections.

7. In a cycle, the combination with the frame and the running-gear, of a pneumatic cushion adapted to yieldingly resist relative displacement of the saddle and one of the wheels and comprising a rigid casing and two flexible diaphragms secured thereto and a partition between said diaphragms, a valve in said partition, and means for compressing one of said diaphragms upon such relative displacement of saddle and wheel in one direction, and for compressing the other diaphragm upon such relative displacement in the opposite direction.

' 8. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, of a pneumatic cushion adapted to yieldingly resist relative displacement of the saddle-section and one of the wheel-sections, and comprising a 'rigid casing and two flexible diaphragms secured thereto, one of the sections of the frame frame and the running-gear, of a pneumatic cushion having two movable Walls adapted to be forced inward alternately upon relative displacements of the saddle and one of the wheels, and means for converting exterior pressures applied to saidwalls into interior compression of air in the space adjoining one rying sections, each capable of displacement with reference to the seating-surface of the saddle, of a pneumatic cushion divided into two chambers and adapted to be compressed upon such relative displacement of either of the wheel-carrying sections,one chamber having a wall adapted to be forced inward upon such relative displacement of one of the wheelcarrying sections, and the other chamber having a second wall adapted to be forced inward upon such relativedisplacement of the other wheel-carrying section, a restricted passage being provided between such chambers, whereby during varying stages of compression different pressures may be obtained simultaneously at both sides of said passage.

11. In a cycle,the combination with the runhing-gear and a frame having two wheel-carrying sections, each capable of displacement with reference to the seating-surface of the saddle, of a pnuematic cushion divided into two chambers and adapted to be compressed upon such relative displacement of either of the wheel-carryingsections,one chamberhaving a wall adapted to be forced inward upon such relative displacement of one of the wheelcarrying sections, and the other chamber having a wall adapted to be forced inward upon such relative displacement of the otherwheelcarrying section, and a valve interposed between said chambers for regulating the flow of air between the same.

12. Inacycle,the combination with the running-gear and a frame comprising a saddlecarrying section, and two wheel-carrying sections each capable of displacement with reference to the saddle-carrying section, of a pneumatic cushion divided into two chambers, one of said chambers having a wall adapted'to be forced inward upon such relative displacement of one of the wheel-carrying sections and the other chamber having a second wall adapted to be forced inward upon such relative displacement of the other wheelcarrying section, a valve between said chambers for regulating the flow of air between the same, a flexible diaphragm, a connection between said diaphragm and valve for controlling the movement of said valve, and exterior mechanism for actuating said diaphragm.

13. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, of a pneumatic cushion on one of said sections provided with two movable walls on opposite esaece sides of the cushion, of a yoke on the other section adjusted to alternately force said walls inward upon relative displacements of said frames in opposite directions.

14. In a cycle, the combination with the running-gear and a frame comprising a saddle carrying sect ion and a wheel-carrying section, of apneu matic cushion on one of said sections, a lever interposed between said cushion and the other section and provided with a slot and means for adjusting the support of the fulcrum in varying positions with reference to said slot.

15. In acycl the combination with the running-gear and a frame comprising a saddlecarrying section and awheel-carrying section, of a pneumatic cushion on one of said sections, a lever interposed between said cushion and the other section, and adapted to be actuated upon relative displacement of the two sections, and means between said lever and said cushion for imparting movement of said lever in one direction to a movable portion on one side of said cushion, and for imparting movement of said lever in the opposite direction to another movable portion on the opposite side of said cushion.

16. In a cycle, the combination with the running-gear and the seat-frame, of the steeringpost adapted to slide and to revolve within the same, a pneumatic cushion on the seatframe, and a lever interposed between the steering-post and said pneumatic cushion and having its fulcrum on the seatframe.

17. In a cycle, the combination with a sec- 7 tional frame comprising the seat-section, the

pilot-wheel section and the driving-wheel section, and the running-gear, the pilot-wheel section being revolubly mounted with reference to the seat-section and said seat-section being capable of lateral displacement with reference to the driving-wheel section, connecting means for maintaining contact between the seat-section and the driving-wheel section, and of cushioning means in contact with said connecting means for resisting such lateral displacement between the seat-section and the driving-wheel section.

18. In a cycle, the combination with the running gear and the seat-frame having a suitable steering-head, of the steering-post, a guide interposed between said post and said head and adjusted to slide with reference to one of said parts and to swing with reference to the other, a cushion for yieldingly resisting such sliding movement, and elastic resisting means interposed between said swinging parts for yieldingly resisting their lateral displacement.

19. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, portion of one section of the frame being adjusted to slide upon the other section and being capable of lateral displacement with reference to the same, a space being provided between sections to permit of such lateral displacement, of elastic resisting means interposed between said sections for the purpose of yieldingly resisting such lateral displacement, and guiding means between the frame-sections where such sliding movement takes place, for maintaining the same there in their relative longitudinal directions.

20. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, a space being provided between the sections of the frame to permit of their relative lateral displacement, of connecting means for maintaining contact between said sections, and elastic resisting means interposed between said sections for the purpose of yieldingly resisting such displacement, and adjustable means for limiting the extent of the same. i

21. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, a space being provided between the sections of the frame to permit of their relative displacement laterally with reference to the main framing, of connecting means for maintaining contact between said sections, and elastic resisting means interposed between said sections for the purpose of yieldingly resisting such displacement.

22. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, one of the sections of the frame being adapted to slide with reference to a second section, and said sections being capable of a joint lateral displacement With reference to a third section, a space being provided for such purpose between the second and third sections, of cushioning means interposed between the first and second sections for yieldingly resisting such sliding movement, and of cushioning means interposed between said sections and the third section for resisting such lateral displacement.

23. Inacycle,thecombinationwiththerunning-gear and a sectional frame comprising a section carrying the seat and two sections each carrying one of the wheels, space being provided between the seat-frame and each of said wheel-frames to permit of their relative lateral displacement, and adjusting means for limiting these relative displacements.

24. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, one of the sections of the frame being hinged to another section at one point and adapted to slide along the same at another point, of elastic resisting means interposed between the hinged portions on opposite sides of the hinge, and elastic tension devices laterally interposed between the sliding portions of said frames.

25. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, one of the sections of the frame being articulated to the other section and capable of relative displacements in directions radial from the axis of the pivot, of a C-shaped cushion interposed between said sections and extending around the greater part of the circumference of the pivot portion on one section and held in contact with the other section, and means for confin- 7 i W. r

ing it in position with reference to one of said sections.

26. In a cycle, the combination with a sec tional frame and the run ning-gear, one of the sections of the frame being articulated to the other section and capable of relative displacements in directions radial from the axis of the pivot, of a pneumatic cushion interposed between said sections and partly encircling the pivot portion on one section and held in contact with the other section, for the purpose of resisting such radial displacements.

27. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, one of the sections of the frame being articulated to the other section and capable of relative displacements in directions radial from the axis of the pivot, of a pneumatic cushion interposed between said sections and partly encircling the pivot portion on one section and held in contact with the other section and provided with independent contact-points, for the purpose of resisting such radial displacements.

28. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, one of the sections of the frame being articulated to the other section and capable of relative displacement in directions radial from the axis of the pivot, and in lateral directions, of elastic resisting means interposed between said sections for yieldingly resistingsnch displacemerits.

29. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, one of the sections of the frame being articulated to the other section and capable of relative displacement in a direction radial from the axis of the pivot, of an elastic tension device for yieldingly resisting such displacement, and adjustable means for limiting the extent of the same.

30. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, one of the sections of the frame being articulated to the other section and capable of relative displace- .ment in a direction radial from the axis of the pivot, of an elastic tension device for yieldinglyresisting such displacement, and means for fixedly securing said sections to each other.

31. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, of an axle on one of the sections to which the other section is hinged, an elastic tension device interposed between said hinge and the section articulated thereto and adapted to permit relative displacement of said sections lengthwise of said axle, and means for regulating the extent of such lengthwise movement.

32. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame, of an axle forming part of the running-gear, gearing mounted on said axle, ball-bearings for said axle in a casing forming part of one of the sections of said frame, a port being provided in said casing between the portions inclosing the ball-bearings for the passage of such gearing, a cover over said port, another section of the frame being revolubly mounted around the portion of the casing carrying said cover, and a flexible cushion interposed between said two frame-sections and extending overjoints between said cover and the port-hole.

33. In a cycle,the combination with its running -gear, of a frame comprising two sections capable of relative displacement, one carrying the seat and the other carrying one of the wheels, a pneumatic cushion adapted to yieldingly resist such displacement and comprising two flexible diaphragms, contactsurfaces being provided upon the frame in engagement with said flexible diaphragmsadapt ed to actuate the same, and means for adjusting the distance between said contactsurfaces.

34:. In a cycle, the combination with its running-gear, of a frame having two sections capable of relative displacement, one carrying the seat and the other carrying one of the wheels, a flexible diaphragm 103 fixedly mounted upon the side of one of the tubes forming one of said sections, the tube being perforated underneath said diaphragm whereby a pneumatic cushion is formed extending from said diaphragm into said tube, a proper. contact-surface adapted to coact with said diaphragm being provided on the other section.

35. In a cycle, the combination with its running-gear, of a frame having two sections capable of relative displacement, one of said sections carrying the seat and the other carrying one of the wheels, a flexible diaphragm 55 having its edges fixedly mounted upon the walls of one of the tubes forming one of said sections, whereby a pneumatic cushion is formed between said tube and said diaphragm, the other section being provided with a proper contact-surface adapted to coact with said diaphragm.

36. In a cycle, the combination with its running-gear, of a frame having two sections capable of relative displacement, one of said sections carrying the seat and the other carrying one of the wheels, aflexible diaphragm 55 having its edges fixedly mounted upon one of said sections, and a spring interposed between said diaphragm and said section, the other section being provided with a proper contact-surface adapted to engage with said diaphragm.

37. In a cycle, the combination with its running-gear, of a frame having two sections capable of relative displacement, one of said sections carrying the seat and the other carrying one of the wheels, one of the sections being adapted to move a'ngularly with reference to a tube forming portion of the other section, and a flexible diaphragm 55 mounted upon said tube whereby a pneumatic cushion is formed between said diaphragm and said tube and placed substantially at right angles with reference to the direction of the movement of the other section, a proper contactsurface being provided on said moving section.

88. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, of an airchamber adapted to be compressed upon relative displacements of the sections forming the frame, a pneumatic saddle-cushion comprising a flexible seat forming a wall of said cushion, and a connecting-passage for permitting flow of air forward and backward between said air-chamber and said saddle-cushion.

39. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, an airchamber being provided adapted to be compressed upon relative displacements of the sections forming the frame, of a pneumatic saddle, and a restricted connecting-passage for permitting flow of air forward and backward between said air chamber and said saddle.

40. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, an airchamber being provided adapted to be compressed upon relative displacements of the sections forming the frame, of a pneumatic saddle, a connecting-passage for permitting flow of air forward and backward between said air-chamber and said saddle, and a valve for regulating the flow of air between saddle and air-chamber within said passage.

41. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, of pneumatic cushioning means between two of the frame-sections, a pneumatic saddle, and a connecting-passage for permitting flow of air forward and backward between cushioning means and saddle, the pneumatic cushioning means, saddle and connecting-passage being closed to the atmosphere and the air confined therein being adapted to be compressed when the seating-surface of the saddle is forced downward, and adapted to expand when said seating-surface recedes upward.

42. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, of pneumatic cushioning means provided between two sections of the frame, a pneumatic saddle, a connecting-passage for permitting flow of air forward and backward between said cushioning means and said saddle, means for interrupting the flow of air through said passage, and a joint-inflating valve forsaid cushioning means and said saddle.

43. In a cycle, the combination with the frame and running-gear, an air-chamber being provided upon the frame, ofa pneumatic saddle, a connecting-passage for permitting flow of air forward and backward between said saddle and said air-chamber, and a stop-cock within said passage.

44. In a cycle, the combination with its frame and running-gear, an air-chamber being provided within the tubing forming said frame, of a pneumatic saddle-cushion comprising a flexible seat forming a wall of said cushion, and a connecting-passage for permitting flow of air forward and backward between said saddle-cushion and the air-chamber.

45. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, one of the sections of the frame carrying the seat and the other carrying one of the wheels, of a pneumatic cushion interposed between the sec tions of the frame, a pneumatic saddle, and a flexible connecting-passage for permitting flow of air forward and backward between said cushion and said saddle partly inclosed within a portion of the frame.

46. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and running-gear, one of the sections of the frame carrying the seat and the other carrying one of the wheels, of a pneumatic cushion interposed between the sections of the frame, a pneumatic saddle, a movable seat-bar capable of adjustment with reference to the main frame,and a connectingpassage for permitting flow of air forward and backward between cushion and saddle partly inclosed within the seat-bar.

47. In a cycle, the combination with the frame, the runninggear and a pneumatic saddle, of pneumatic cushioning means comprising two outer air-chambers and an intermediate chamber, a connecting-passage between the air-cushion of. the pneumatic saddle and said intermediate chamber and restricted passages between said outer chambers and said intermediate chamber.

48. In a cycle, the combination with the frame, the running'gear and a pneumatic saddle, of pneumatic cushioning means comprising two outer air-chambers and an intermediate chamber, a connecting-passage between the air-cushion of the pneumatic saddle and said intermediate chambers, restricted passages between said outer chambers and said intermediate chambers, and means for regulating the flow of air between said intermediate chamber and one of said outer chambers.

49. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame, the running-gear and a pneumatic saddle, of pneumatic cushioning means interposed between a section of the frame carrying the saddle and one of the wheel-sections, other pneumatic cushioning means interposed between the seat-section and another wheeL section, and suitable connecting-passages between the air-cushion of the pneumatic saddle and both said cushioning means.

50. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear and a pneumatic saddle, of pneumatic cushioning means interposed between the section of the frame carrying the saddle and one of the wheel-sections, other pneumatic cushioning means terposed between the seat-section and another wheel-section, connectingpassages between the air-cushion of the pneumatic saddle and both said cushioning means, and means for regulating the flow of air therein.

51. In a cycle, the combination with the frame and the running-gear, of a pneumatic saddle, an inflation-valve for said saddle, an

air-chamber mounted upon the cycle-frame,

- an inflation-valve for said air-chamber, a connecting-passage for permitting flow of air forward and backward between pneumatic saddle and air-chamber, and a stop-cock between said inflation-valves.

52. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, of a pneumatic saddle, an in Elation-valve for said saddle, a pneumatic cushion between two sec tions of the frame, an inflating-valve for said cushion, a connecting-passage for permitting flow of air forward and backward between pneumatic saddle and pneumatic cushion, and a stop-cock between said inflation-valves.

53. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame, the running-gear, a saddle-base, a substantially rigid saddle-cover and a compressible pneumatic cushion inserted between said saddle-base and saddle-cover, of a pneumatic cushion between two sections of the cycle-frame, and a restricted passage for pertional frame, the running-gear, a saddle-base,-

a substantially rigid saddle-cover and a compressible pneumatic cushion inserted between said saddle-base and saddle-cover, of a pneumatic cushion between two sections of the cycle-frame, a passage for permitting flow of air forward and backward'between said cushions, and means for regulating the flow of air through said passage.

55. In a cycle, the combination with a sectionalframe and the running-gear,of a saddlebase, a saddle-cover and acompressible pneumatic cushion interposed between base and cover, of a pneumatic cushion between two of the frame-sections, a connecting-passage between the two cushions,'and means for adjusting saddle-base and saddle-cover at different relative elevations, whereby the airpressure within the cushioning means be tween the frame-sections may be increased or decreased.

56. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, of three air-chambers mounted upon the cycle-frame, one of said air-chambers being interposed between the other air-chamber and connected with 'each of said chambers by a restricted passage, of a pneumatic saddle, and a connecting-passage for permitting flow of air forward and backward between said saddle and said interposed air-chamber.

57. In acycle, the combination with'aframe having a scatsupporting section and two wheel-supporting sections,of pneumatic cushioning means between each of said wheel-supporting sections and the seat-supporting section,a pneumatic saddle, connecting-passages for permitting flow of air forward and backward between said saddle and both of said cushioning means, and valves for interruptin'g means and also between said cushioning means and the pneumatic saddle.

58. In a cycle, the combination with a tubular sectional frame and the running-gear, of two air-chambers within the tubes of said frame, a restricted passage between said airchambers, an air-chamber forming a cushion between two sections of the frame, a passage between said cushion and one of aforesaid air-chambers, and means for regulating the flow of air through one of said restricted passages.

59. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, of a pivot provided on one of the wheel-sections and an arc-shaped shoe on the seat-section,such shoe being fulcrumed upon said pivot, the lower main tube and the diagonal tube of the seatframe being attached to said shoe.

60. In a cycle, the combination with a sec= tional frame and the running-gear, ofia pivot provided on one of the wheel-sections and an arc-shaped shoe on the seat-section,such shoe being fulcrumed upon the said pivot, the lower main tube and the diagonal tube of the seat-frame being made continuous and attached to said shoe.

61. In a cycle, the combination with the frame and the running-gear, of a pneumatic cushion comprising two chambers and hav= ing a movable wall forming part of one of said chambers and adapted to yieldingly resist relative displacement of the seating-surface of the saddle and one of the wheels, means for permitting the flow of air between said chambers in one direction and for regu-- lating the flow of air in the opposite direction, and a spring for actuating said wall during such flow of air in the opposite direction.

62. In a cycle, the combination with the frame and running-gear,of a pneumatic cush= ion comprising two chambers and having a movable wall forming part of one of said chambers and adapted to yieldingly resist relative displacement of the seating-surface of the saddle and one of the wheels, means for permitting the flow of air between said chambers in one direction and for regulating the flow of air in the opposite direction, and a spring in the interior of said cushion for forcing said wall outward.

63. In a cycle, the combination with a sectional frame and the running-gear, of a pneumatic cushion comprising two chambers and having a movable wall forming part of one of said chambers and adapted to yieldingly resist relative displacement of two of the framesections, means for permitting the flow of air between said chambers in one direction and for regulating the flow of air in the opposite matic cushion comprising two chambers and having a movable Wail forming part of one of In testimony that I claim the foregoing as said chambers and adapted to yieidingly remy inventionI have signed my name, in pres- 1o sist relative displacement of two of the frameence of two witnesses, this 6th day of May, sections, means for permitting the flow of air 1898.

between said chambers in one direction and CHARLES L. HORAOK. for regulating the flow of air in the opposite Witnesses:

direction, and a spring in the interior of said WM. J. PARSONS,

cushion for forcing said wall outward. 1 WILLIAM SHAW. 

